Exploration
and Space Technology (EaST)
Laboratory
Mechanical
and aerospace engineering disciplines have historically provided many of the
tools necessary for the exploration of our local universe, ranging from space
probes to deep submersibles. The Exploration and Space Technology (EaST) Laboratory
is designed to introduce students to advanced research in all manner of
technologies with applications to astronautic, aeronautic, terranautic,
aquanautic, and bionautic
exploration. Exploration vehicles,
subsystems, and components are enabled by high performance materials, advanced
diagnostic development, and progress in the understanding of natural phenomena. A better understanding of complex systems
operating in unknown and often extreme environments is required to further
human and robotic exploration of our universe.
The National Science Foundation (NSF), along with the National Academy
of Engineering, has identified the enhancement of exploration as a Grand Challenge in Engineering. Exploration truly embodies the spirit of
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
(photos by A. Ketsdever)
Synergistic Benefits
Cutting Edge Research Understanding of
complex systems Scientific understanding
Exploration Research
Advanced Propulsion Concepts
Advanced Power Concepts
Sustainable
Energy Collection and Transport
Micro-scale
System Development
Atomic
and Molecular Acceleration
Near-Space
Propulsion
Hypersonic
Flows
Space Environments
Asteroid
Defense
Chamber
for Atmospheric and Orbital Space Simulation (ChAOSS)
Micropropulsion Test Facility
(mPTF)
High
Energy Laser Laboratory (HELL)
Nano-Newton Thrust Stand
(nNTS)
Barry Cornella (PhD Student)
o
Radiometric
Flow Studies for Near Space Applications
Lt. Col. (Ret.) Peter Szyjka (PhD
Student)
o
Deposition
Rates of Low Energy Sputtered Materials
2nd Lt. Wayne Black (MS
Student)
o
Low Reynolds
Number Nozzle Flows
2nd Lt. Max Poppler (MS
Student)
o Tunable
Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy
2nd Lt. Lucas Derby (MS Student)
o High
Delta-V Micropropulsion
Jacob Graul
(MS Student)
o Optical
Cavities
Ryan Bosworth (Undergrad)
o Space
Simulation Facility Characterization
Trey Quiller (Undergrad)
o Charge
Exchange
Austin Ventura
(Undergrad)
o
Radiometric
Force Measurements
Carlos Maldonado (Undergrad)
o
Atomic Oxygen Source
Maj. Thomas Joslyn (PhD),
Dissertation: Charging
Effects on Fluid Stream Droplets for Momentum Exchange Between Spacecraft
2nd Lt. Anthony O'Shea
(MS)
2nd Lt. Jacob Schonig
(MS)
Selected
EaST Lab Research Papers and Presentations
T.
Joslyn, Charging Effects on Fluid Stream
Droplets for Momentum Exchange Between Spacecraft, PhD
Dissertation, UCCS, Dec. 2009.
A.
Ketsdever, Exploration and Space Technology
Laboratory, Featured Speaker, Mountain Lion Research Day, 3 April
2009.
EaST Lab Poster Presentation,
Mountain Lion Research Day, 3 April 2009.
Shawn
Laabs, Propulsion Subsystem Thermal Modeling for the
FalconSat-5 Microspacecraft, UCCS
Undergraduate Research Journal, July 2009.
Sean Hammerland and Barry Cornella, A Critical Analysis of Solid
Rocket Motor Thrust Augmentation Using Beamed Power, AIAA Student
Conference, 22 April 2009.
T.
Lilly, Atomic
and Molecular Acceleration Via One-Dimensional Optical Lattice, MAE
Research Seminar, 30 Jan 2009.
A.
Ketsdever and M. Young (AFRL/RZSA), Advanced
Propulsion Concepts for Space Access, MAE Research Seminar, 13 Feb
2009.
